The Rhodopes, occupying the southern part of Bulgaria and part of Greece, are the homeland of the mythological singer Orpheus. This ride spends 6 days of riding in this enchanting mountain – the land of high peaks and deep river gorges, unique rock formations, lush meadows and dense forests. The western part of the Rhodopes where our ride takes place, offers a variety of terrains in which one can experience of all types of riding and paces. We visit remote villages, stay with local people enjoying their hospitality, local food and excellent wines. We spend also some time in Plovdiv - Europe's oldest inhabited city and 2019 European Capital of Culture

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrive Sofia
Transfer to our hotel in Sofia for overnight.-/-/-

Day 2. Sofia - Purvenets - Plovdiv
Transfer to our riding base in Purvenets at the foot of the Rodopi mountains (2 hours drive from Sofia), where we meet the horses. Today we make a loop-like ride, passing along the Red Church - a late Roman basilica dating from 5-6 AD. After the ride we drive back to Plovdiv, where we can enjoy the old quarters of the town, where we stay at hotel for overnight. Optional wine tasting in the Todoroff wine residence, Brestovitsa village.B/L/-/4-5 hours riding/

Day 3. Plovdiv - Purvenets - Varhovrah
We start in Purvenets again, this time heading south and up in the mountains, to reach Bryanovshtitsa Hut and then continue to the small resort of Varhovruh where we stay overnight in a small mountain hotel. B/L/D/5 hours riding/

Day 4. Varhovrah - Persenk hut - Lyaskovo
We continue our ride, passing through several tiny villages, following Varhovrah ridge with great panorama views, to reach Persenk hut, where we stop for lunch. Continue to the village of Lyaskovo where we stay for overnight with a local family, B/L/D/6 hours riding/

Day 5. Lyaskovo - Chudnite Mostove - Orehovo
From Lyaskovo we head up to Chudnite Mostove (Miraculous Bridges) - a unique rock formation. In the afternoon the trek continues through pine forests and vast meadows to Orehovo village, where we stay at a family run hotel. B/L/D/6 hours riding/

Day 6. Orehovo - Dedevo
After breakfast we head to Bash Mandra where we can stop for lunch. We continue to the village of Dedevo where we stay at a bungalow, two rooms sharing WC/shower. B/L/D/5 hours riding/

Day 7. Dedevo - Purvenets - Sofia
The ride today takes us to the village of Purvenets where we say goodbye to our horses and drive back to Sofia for the last night. An optional visit to Bachkovski Monastery in the afternoon. Bachkovo Monastery is established in the beginning of XI century and is the second largest Bulgarian Monastery nowadays. We suggest an early start of the day if Bachkovo Monastery will be visited. B/L/-/6 hours riding/